130k views
3 votes
I don’t think it’s a Black Phoebe, as they have black beaks not white. Is it a Grosbeak? This was taken in the Pacific NW. Sorry for the pic quality.

If this isn’t the right place to post this, please tell me where.

User Nemeth
by
7.3k points

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The bird in question is not likely a Black Phoebe due to the white beak mentioned. It could be a type of Grosbeak, like the Black-headed Grosbeak or Evening Grosbeak, common to the Pacific NW. Proper identification requires considering various factors and possibly consulting resources like local birding guides or apps.

Step-by-step explanation:

Identifying birds can sometimes be challenging, especially with suboptimal photo quality or from a distance. The Black Phoebe is indeed a bird that has an all-black beak, which makes the bird you're trying to identify unlikely to be a Black Phoebe if it has a white beak. In the Pacific Northwest, the Grosbeak is a plausible option depending on other characteristics such as size, color, and song. There are different species of Grosbeaks found in this region, with the Black-headed Grosbeak and Evening Grosbeak being two possible candidates. However, proper bird identification generally requires considering multiple factors such as beak shape, plumage pattern, behavior, and habitat in addition to beak color.

To get a more accurate identification, consider consulting a local bird watching group, using online birding resources, or acquiring a guidebook specific to the Pacific Northwest region's avifauna. An application such as Merlin Bird ID by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology can also be helpful for identifying birds through pictures.

User Kabua
by
7.1k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.